Artist Residence & Studio

Raqib Shaw grew up in Kashmir and New Delhi before making London home in the 1990’s. The team worked closely on this project with Raqib to transform the old sausage factory in South London into a concealed Rajasthani Palace.

Behind the unsuspecting large factory doors, the opulent residence and workspace are inspired by Kashmiri landscapes, and on entering you are submerged into a vibrant, extravagant paradise which is also reflected in his work. To fully realise the design, research trips were taken to India to better understand materials and unpick the construction of Rajasthani palaces. The secret garden is the ultimate enchanted hidden escape.

The team had to overcome extensive challenges on this project, such as engineering a waterfall garden while negotiating with neighbours and adhering to strict noise regulations. The incredibly toxic enamel paint used everyday to create beautiful paintings, also required executive extraction to manage the fumes so as to provide a safe working environment for Raqib and his team of assistants.